debut: 2/16/24
205 runs
Who will be partnering the captain Kraigg Brathwaite when the West Indian openers walk out to bat against England at Lords in July?
The Contenders:
Tagenarine Chanderpaul (10 Tests, 560 runs, avg 32) has finished the season with just over 300 runs and an average below 30. His solitary century against the Windwards at Coolidge in Round 5 boosted his average although it remains shy of what he would have hoped for. Failures in all six of his innings in Australia (two tests & a warm up game) put significant pressure on him and unfortunately, he has failed to return to form. Still quite possible that he will make the squad but his slot opening the batting must be seriously in doubt, for the short term at least.
Kirk McKenzie (3 Tests, 170 runs, avg 28 ) similar returns in the domestic season as Chanderpaul, he will be disappointed that despite getting starts in seven of his innings this season, he only reached 50 once. In Australia, batting at three, he got starts in all of his innings across the two tests, including a fifty at Adelaide. Very likely to keep his place in the test squad and likely to be considered for the opening role but may well stay at number three.
Zachary McCaskie (uncapped) has had a very hot and cold championship with fine scores of 101 & 87 mixed into a number of failures. Overall, scored slightly better than Chanderpaul & McKenzie and did so at a much better strike rate. A probable for the test squad and a possibility for the opening position with Brathwaite.
Mikyle Louis (uncapped) young right hander from St. Kitts who has made followers of the regional tournament sit up and take serious notice this season. He has been very productive and consistent, with three centuries and as many half centuries. Leads the run aggregate with nearly 700 runs at an average just under 50. Needs to improve outside of the off stump but otherwise looks to be a very fine young player. Plays straight superbly and hits the ball hard. Decent strike rate and seems well composed at the crease. If he does not make the trip to England, it will be a major surprise and disappointment.
Jeremy Solozano (1 Test, dnb) The 28 year old opener from Trinidad has had a similar season to McKenzie and Chanderpaul, with a real mix of failures, starts and a few decent innings. I am sure that the selectors will mention him but it is doubtful that he has done enough for serious consideration.
Kieran Powell (44 Tests, 2113 runs, avg 25) the veteran from Nevis is now aged 34 and likely not up for serious consideration. He had another modest season with a single century against CC&C his highlight. Still scores at a brisk rate but that is unfortunately his only real strong point at this point. The selectors will surely look toward a younger player going forward.
Kraigg Brathwaite meanwhile has been quietly going about his business, accumulating over 600 runs (second in the aggregate to Mikyle Louis) at an average which as it stands, is over 50.
Note (Brathwaite is currently 81* vs WI Academy. If he converts this innings into a century, it will be his third of the season)
The Contenders:
Tagenarine Chanderpaul (10 Tests, 560 runs, avg 32) has finished the season with just over 300 runs and an average below 30. His solitary century against the Windwards at Coolidge in Round 5 boosted his average although it remains shy of what he would have hoped for. Failures in all six of his innings in Australia (two tests & a warm up game) put significant pressure on him and unfortunately, he has failed to return to form. Still quite possible that he will make the squad but his slot opening the batting must be seriously in doubt, for the short term at least.
Kirk McKenzie (3 Tests, 170 runs, avg 28 ) similar returns in the domestic season as Chanderpaul, he will be disappointed that despite getting starts in seven of his innings this season, he only reached 50 once. In Australia, batting at three, he got starts in all of his innings across the two tests, including a fifty at Adelaide. Very likely to keep his place in the test squad and likely to be considered for the opening role but may well stay at number three.
Zachary McCaskie (uncapped) has had a very hot and cold championship with fine scores of 101 & 87 mixed into a number of failures. Overall, scored slightly better than Chanderpaul & McKenzie and did so at a much better strike rate. A probable for the test squad and a possibility for the opening position with Brathwaite.
Mikyle Louis (uncapped) young right hander from St. Kitts who has made followers of the regional tournament sit up and take serious notice this season. He has been very productive and consistent, with three centuries and as many half centuries. Leads the run aggregate with nearly 700 runs at an average just under 50. Needs to improve outside of the off stump but otherwise looks to be a very fine young player. Plays straight superbly and hits the ball hard. Decent strike rate and seems well composed at the crease. If he does not make the trip to England, it will be a major surprise and disappointment.
Jeremy Solozano (1 Test, dnb) The 28 year old opener from Trinidad has had a similar season to McKenzie and Chanderpaul, with a real mix of failures, starts and a few decent innings. I am sure that the selectors will mention him but it is doubtful that he has done enough for serious consideration.
Kieran Powell (44 Tests, 2113 runs, avg 25) the veteran from Nevis is now aged 34 and likely not up for serious consideration. He had another modest season with a single century against CC&C his highlight. Still scores at a brisk rate but that is unfortunately his only real strong point at this point. The selectors will surely look toward a younger player going forward.
Kraigg Brathwaite meanwhile has been quietly going about his business, accumulating over 600 runs (second in the aggregate to Mikyle Louis) at an average which as it stands, is over 50.
Note (Brathwaite is currently 81* vs WI Academy. If he converts this innings into a century, it will be his third of the season)
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